Im in southeast PA and my bees were bringing in 2 different kinds of pollen today. First warm day around here.
Does the pollen indicate nectar as well? Sorry my first winter/spring with them. Thanks
Not necessarily. Likely early on they are getting mostly pollen. I don't know about your area but my first nectar flow is dandelion.
Way more early pollen than nectar. That pollen will spur brood rearing and every year people lose colonies because the rapidly expanding bees starve to death. I murdered one by my inattention last spring. Complacency costs.
Quote from: Vance G on March 12, 2014, 01:32:10 AM
Way more early pollen than nectar. That pollen will spur brood rearing and every year people lose colonies because the rapidly expanding bees starve to death. I murdered one by my inattention last spring. Complacency costs.
This cannot be stressed enough. It doesn't take much feed to get them thru winter. Once brood rearing starts they will starve to death in a hurry.
By the same token if their fed too much they'll backfill the brood nest and probably swarm. Moderation in everything.